Bär & Karrer Ltd.’s Italian-Swiss hub in Lugano has ‘very strong capabilities both on legal and on tax matters’ regarding, among others, banking and finance, corporate and M&A, real estate and dispute resolution. Paolo Bottini is noted for his ‘remarkable knowledge of Swiss tax matters’ which he puts to use for international corporate and banking clients when assisting them in setting up international headquarters in Switzerland. ‘Very good negotiator and mediator’ Cesare Jermini represents clients in national and international judicial and arbitral proceedings. Massimo Vanotti focuses on corporate, commercial and banking law and has ‘very good knowledge of notarial work’.
Leading firms: Italian-speaking Switzerland in Switzerland
Bär & Karrer Ltd.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Cesare Jermini; Massimo Vanotti
Testimonials
‘Bar & Karrer (both Zurich and Lugano) are one of the few firms in Switzerland that join very strong capabilities both on legal and on tax matters with very good reputation and respectability. They are able to deal very well with international clients.’
‘Paolo Bottini: Remarkable knowledge of Swiss tax matters and ability to manage very complex cases. Massimo Vanotti: Very good knowledge of notarial work and ability to meet single clients’ needs also if they go beyond strictly technical matters. Cesare Jelmini: Very good negotiator and mediator.’
Key clients
Helsinn Holding AG
Investindustrial Group
Stellantis Group
Interroll Holding AG
Work highlights
- Advised BancaStato on the acquisition of Ticino-based retail business lines from EFG International.
- Advised xFarm on A and B financing rounds.
Kellerhals Carrard
Kellerhals Carrard‘s Lugano office has strength in banking and capital markets, corporate and M&A, litigation and tax practices with further areas of expertise in fintech, intellectual property and TMT as well as bankruptcy and insolvency law. Massimiliano Maestretti heads the offering and specialises in private client matters. Stefano Perucchi, Andrea Fioravanti and Henry M. Peter are the key names for commercial and company law. Fintech specialist Lars Schlichting, tax expert Giovanni Stucchi and civil law focused Ivan Paparelli are other key individuals. Jonathan Bernasconi is noted for his dispute resolution skills.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Henry M. Peter; Giovanni Stucchi; Ivan Paparelli; Andrea Fioravanti; Stefano Perucchi; Lars Schlichting; Jonathan Bernasconi
Key clients
36th America’s Cup Arbitration Panel
AiliA
Alej Holding AG, Zug
Bürgschaftsgenossenschaft Ost-Süd, Bürgschaftsgenossenschaft Mitte, Cautionnement Romand, Bürgschaftsgenossenschaft SAFFA
Deborah Group SpA
Dukascopy Bank
Ehpelia Group SA Ephelia Capital Sagl
Euroleague Basketball
Fondo Edifici di Culto
GSA Gestion Sportive Automobiles, Geneva
Heirs Küpfer
Heritage 47 AG
Kemaba Group, Luxembourg
Manchester City Football Club Ltd.
Parmalat Group
Qui CH AG Quid Global Ltd
TAS Group SpA
Zegna Group
Work highlights
- Advised TAS International SA on the restructuring of the Group and on the acquisition of the Infraxis Group.
- Acting for Parmalat in a procedure against a private person in front of the competent authorities.
- Assistance of Precicast Industrial Holding SA in the transfer of 100% of the issued share capital (together with its 5 fully owned subsidiaries) from the current shareholders to the listed company Georg Fisher AG (listed on the Swiss and German stock exchange) and in the negotiations of the ancillary agreements.
Walder Wyss Ltd.
Walder Wyss Ltd.’s Lugano office, which is jointly headed by Davide Jermini and Stefano Codoni, offers a ‘full 360-degree service in all legal aspects’ and is recognised for its activities in corporate, commercial and M&A matters as well as real estate and litigation. Codoni is ‘the go-to lawyer for technology related transactions, litigations and intellectual property’ and Jermini is ‘excellent’ in corporate, commercial and M&A matters, in particular real estate transactions. Recently promoted Stefano Fornara is a ‘great partner’ with a specialisation in international arbitration and litigation proceedings, especially regarding employment law issues.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Stefano Fornara
Testimonials
‘We receive full 360-degree service in all legal aspects of our private and business life.’
‘Our leading lawyer Stefano Fornara handles issues related to residence in Switzerland, real estate acquisition and construction, legal aspects for family members, and also provides any other support related to integration or other issues.’
‘Whenever we contact the team / partners are available and provide the support required. Since our offices are not in the Italian part of Switzerland, the use of advanced technology by the firm has always been a big plus. Billing is always handled smoothly and in a very clear manner. People at the firm are very knowledgeable and easy to work with.’
‘Both Davide Jeremini and Stefano Fornara have a very broad know-how in their fields. They manage our procedures and affairs expeditiously, always keep us informed and we can at any time count on their recommendations. When we come to them with short-term problems, they do everything they’ can to support us, even when they’re running at capacity.’
‘Professional, competent, committed, intellectually honest, dedicated beyond any expectations.’
‘Stefano Codoni is competent, trustworthy and reliable. It is a pleasure working with him.’
‘The firm and their team members are very reactive, responsive and know their subject matters well. It is key that we receive well framed and to the point advice, which is what we are getting time and time again.’
‘Stefano Fornara: Great partner, approachable, practical, direct, honest.’
Key clients
Actial Farmaceutica Srl, Rome, Italy
Bravofly / Bravonext/ Lastminute.com
Jetpharma
Artisa Group
Akara Funds AG
Lifeware SA
TDK Lambda
METECA SA
Fiduciaria Mega SA
Cardiocentro Ticino
COLLEGAL
Lugano-based COLLEGAL acts for both national and international clients, in particular with regard to all relevant business activities of its clients, advising on commercial, public, administrative and criminal law as well as on private law. The legal services include such topics as real estate and construction projects, IT developments and business aviation matters. The key practitioners are Rocco Bonzanigo, Lorenzo Moor, Giovanni Molo, Flavio Canonica and Flavio Amadò.